Broncos head coach Sean Payton opened Pandora's box, and it's safe to say he regrets doing so.
After Denver's first day of training camp Friday morning, Payton expressed remorse for comments made to USA TODAY on how the Broncos organization handled last season, former head coach Nathaniel Hackett's work in Denver and the New York Jets seeking the spotlight.
"It was a learning experience for me," he said. "It was a mistake, and obviously, I need a little more restraint. I regret that."
Since Payton arrived in Denver, he's shielded his team from those outside the organization, purposely limiting media attention to focus on football. That was until this week when he told USA Today's Jarrett Bell that Denver's disastrous 2022 season was "one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL" — a direct shot at Hackett, who was fired after 15 games and is now the offensive coordinator for the Jets.
He even ripped the Broncos organization for the way they handled the season, including letting Russell Wilson bring his personal quarterback coach, Jake Heaps, into the facility.
"That wasn't his fault," Payton told USA Today. "That was the parents who allowed it. That's not an incrimination on him, but an incrimination on the head coach, the GM (George Paton), the president (Damani Leech) and everybody else who watched it all happen."
After Payton's comments drew headlines and countless reactions across the league and on social media, the first-year Broncos coach walked things back on Friday.
"It was one of those moments when I had my Fox (Sports) hat on, and not my coaching hat," said Payton, who also mentioned that his comments were directed towards the entire organization and not just Paton.
"The front office and ownership (were) two of the reasons why I came here," he later stated. "George and I are close."
In addition to ripping Hackett and the organization, Payton took shots at the Jets for being featured on HBO's Hard Knocks and the buzz they have created since acquiring quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
New York coach Robert Saleh wasn't pleased with Payton's remarks, telling reporters Thursday: "I kind of live by the saying, 'If you ain't got no haters, you ain't poppin'.' So hate away. Obviously, we're doing something right if you've got to talk about us and we don't play until (Week 5)."
Payton said he plans to reach out to Saleh "at the right time."
"It certainly will bring more interest to the game," Payton said about Denver's matchup against the Jets on Oct. 8. "But that seems like years from now."
Payton, however, did not backtrack on his playoff expectations. He said that mindset needs to be present in the building and believes the franchise can end its seven-year postseason drought.
Payton also didn't regret his public support for Wilson, who he believes still has fuel in the tank but was plagued by poor coaching last year.
"As a coach you stick up for (your players)," he said. "I said to (the team) last night that, 'You guys deserve the best teaching in the world.' We're gonna give it to you."
Wilson said he and Payton had respect for each other long before his arrival in Denver. The 12-year pro has admired how Payton has run the team and the high expectations the former Saints coach has put on them.
"I've always had high regard for who (Payton) is as a coach and a man," Wilson said. "He's leading our team in the right way."
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